Bedstead



N. W. SPEERS, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

BEDSTEAD.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 20,097, dated April 27, 1858.

To all whom it may concern:

foot boards tenoned into suitable mortises Be it known that I, Nenn .V.. Simms, of l (71., &c.) in the posts.

Cincinnati, Hamilton county, Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Bedsteads; and I hereby declare the following to be a full and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, making part of this specification.

The present improvements relate chiefly to the kind known as the canopy bedstead and consist in the construction of the posts and the manner of attaching the several parts together.

I In the accompanying drawing my improvements are exhibited by perspective views as follows:

Figure 1, represents the bedstead entire. Fig. 2 illustrates a modification of the bed bottom. Fig. 3 isa diagram showing the manner of attaching the posts together at top. Figs. 4 and 6 exhibit different methods of connecting the encircling rail. Fig. 5 is a view of a portion of one of the posts on a larger scale.

A, A, &c., are the four bedposts construct ed either of wood or metal and so bent as to meet together in the center at top where they are dovetailed into a metallic boss B, and there secured by a key C, also of metal.

D, is an encircling rail passing around on the outside of the posts at or near the level of the bed bottom and notched into each post at d. The rail D, may be constructed of metal joined in any suitable manner or it may be of wood bent into the form ex hibited in Figs. 1 and 4L and connected by a splice joint e, covered by a ferrule f, a pin g, passing` through and securing the whole. If preferred four straight rails may be used, connected (as illustrated in Fig. 6) by angular metallic pieces F, adapted to fit into the exterior notches CZ, (Fig. 5) in the posts and made hollow for the reception of the ends of the rails, which are confined therein by pins. This arrangement is suitable for the cheaper class of bedsteads, in which case the head and foot boards are made straight to correspond with the end rails.

H, and I, are respectively the head and J K, is the bed bottom consisting of slats J, attached to rails K, the ends of which fit in notches 7a, on the inside of the posts so as (in combination with the encircling rail on the outside) to hold the posts firmly in position.

The rails K, should be made to arch somewhat upward in order that a superincumbent weight may tend to tighten the joints. Another (and perhaps preferable) form of bed bottom is exhibited in Fig. 2. In this the rails K1 are divided in the center and provided with hinges Z, on their lower side to allow of their bending upward but holding them firmly against depression below a horizontal position.

The posts may if preferred be constructed of plate metal or thin timber made wide and bent laterally on a form, so as to make them convex on the outside and concave within.

The method of setting up the bedstead is as follows: The posts A, being brought together at the top and their dovetailed ends inserted in the boss B, as seen in Fig. 8, the key C, is inserted in the position shown and being turned slightly around confines the ends of the posts firmly in position. The rail D, being oir the fioor, the feet of the posts are then set within it and the head and foot boards are next placed in position in their respective mortises, after which the rail D, is elevated to its position on the posts and one end of the bottom J K, being placed in its notches 7c, the other end is driven down until it reaches its bearings, firmly wedging the posts home to their notches in the rail and holding all the parts rigidly in position.

In the case of the hinged bottom, it is placed (in the inected state exhibited in Fig. 2) with both its ends resting in their bearings 7J, and the center being then depressed a greater force is exerted with less friction than by the arrangement previously described. The connection of the posts at top gives additional strength but I do not intend to confine myself thereto in all cases; as the other features of my invention may be 3. The construction and arrangement of the corner fastening F, in the described. connection With the rails and posts for the purposes explained.

In testimony of which invention I bereunto set my hand.

N. W. SPEERS. Witnesses: Y

J. F. POLK, OELs KNIGHT. 

